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Mechanisms of instantaneous inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by silicon nitride bioceramic.

ABSTRACT: The hydrolytic processes occurring at the surface of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) bioceramic have been indicated as a powerful pathway to instantaneous inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the virus inactivation mechanisms promoted by Si₃N₄ remain yet to be elucidated. In this study, we provide evidence of the instantaneous damage incurred on the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon contact with Si₃N₄. We also emphasize the safety characteristics of Si₃N₄ for mammalian cells. Contact between the virions and micrometric Si₃N₄ particles immediately targeted a variety of viral molecules by inducing post-translational oxidative modifications of S-containing amino acids, nitration of the tyrosine residue in the spike receptor binding domain, and oxidation of RNA purines to form formamidopyrimidine. This structural damage in turn led to a reshuffling of the protein secondary structure. These clear fingerprints of viral structure modifications were linked to inhibition of viral functionality and infectivity. This study validates the notion that Si₃N₄ bioceramic is a safe and effective antiviral compound; and a primary antiviral candidate to replace the toxic and allergenic compounds presently used in contact with the human body and in long-term environmental sanitation.

SUBMITTER: Pezzotti G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8485720 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Silicon nitride (SiN [Si3N4]) is a promising bioceramic for use in a wide variety of orthopedic applications. Over the past decades, it has been mainly used in industrial applications, such as space shuttle engines, but not in the medical field due to scarce data on the biological effects of SiN. More recently, it has been increasingly identified as an emerging material for dental and orthopedic implant applications. Although a few reports about the antibacterial properties and osteoconductivity of SiN have been published to date, there have been limited studies of SiN-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Here, we developed a silicon nitride reinforced gelatin/chitosan cryogel system (SiN-GC) by loading silicon nitride microparticles into a gelatin/chitosan cryogel (GC), with the aim of producing a biomimetic scaffold with antibiofilm and osteogenic properties. In this scaffold system, the GC component provides a hydrophilic and macroporous environment for cells, while the SiN component not only provides antibacterial properties and osteoconductivity but also increases the mechanical stiffness of the scaffold. This provides enhanced mechanical support for the defect area and a better osteogenic environment. First, we analyzed the scaffold characteristics of SiN-GC with different SiN concentrations, followed by evaluation of its apatite-forming capacity in simulated body fluid and protein adsorption capacity. We further confirmed an antibiofilm effect of SiN-GC against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as well as enhanced cell proliferation, mineralization, and osteogenic gene upregulation for MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells. Finally, we developed a bioreactor to culture cell-laden scaffolds under cyclic compressive loading to mimic physiological conditions and were able to demonstrate improved mineralization and osteogenesis from SiN-GC. Overall, we confirmed the antibiofilm and osteogenic effect of a silicon nitride reinforced cryogel system, and the results indicate that silicon nitride as a biomaterial system component has a promising potential to be developed further for bone tissue engineering applications.

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Mechanisms of instantaneous inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by silicon nitride bioceramic.

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